Businesses and Communities in Maryland: Get Up to $125,000 per Port for EV Fast Charging Through the Community EVSE Grant Program

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is accelerating the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) across the state. Through the newly expanded Fiscal Year 2027 Community Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Grant Program, the MEA is offering a massive $16.5 million funding pool to help organizations deploy charging infrastructure.

With grants providing up to $125,000 per port for Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC) and robust incentives for Level 2 stations, this program is designed to heavily offset the upfront costs of installing EV chargers. Collaborating with an experienced partner like SWTCH enables Maryland businesses, multifamily properties, and communities to tap into this lucrative funding, maximizing the benefits of EV adoption while optimizing their infrastructure investment.

What is the Community EVSE Grant Program?

The Community EVSE Grant Program is a highly competitive state initiative intended to increase access to affordable, reliable EV charging networks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions—especially in overburdened communities.

For the FY27 cycle, the MEA has shifted its focus to target five specific types of project sites:

• Multifamily Housing: Dedicated charging for residents and guests at apartment-style buildings with 5 or more units.

• Curbside: Charging infrastructure located on public roadsides for street-parked vehicles.

• Parking Hubs: Chargers dedicated to visitors of public and private parking lots and garages.

• Workplaces: Charging solutions for employees and visitors commuting to commercial locations.

• Fleets: Charging infrastructure to support commercial, industrial, or electric school bus fleets (3 or more vehicles).

What costs does the Community EVSE Grant Program cover?

The grant is designed to comprehensively support your electrification project. Eligible expenses typically include:

• DCFC equipment

• Commercial Level 2 stations

• Installation costs, including essential labor and materials

• Make-ready electrical infrastructure and upgrades

• Software networking configurations (Chargers must be OCPP-compliant, a standard SWTCH strictly adheres to)

What are the rebate amounts?

The FY27 program features a tiered funding structure. The exact amount you can receive depends on the project type, the charger’s power output, and whether the stations are owner-operated or third-party operated.

Breakdown For Owner-Operated Multifamily and Curbside Projects:

Eligibility Requirements

For Parking Hubs, Workplaces, and Fleets (Owner-Operated):

• Depending on charger speed, per-port funding for these sites ranges from $7,000 for standard Level 2 up to $100,000 for ultra-fast DCFCs.

(Note: Third-party operated sites have slightly lower per-port maximums, ranging from $5,500 up to $100,000).

Overall Applicant Caps: Most eligible applicants can request up to $900,000 across all sites. County governments and local education agencies benefit from an expanded cap of $1.5 million.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must apply and be approved for the competitive grant before project costs are incurred. The program is open to a wide variety of Maryland organizations, including:

• Commercial Businesses

• Multifamily Properties (Apartments and Condos with 5+ units)

• Nonprofits

• Local Governments and Special Districts

• Local Education Agencies and Higher Education Institutions

When is the deadline to apply?

The application portal is currently open! All applications must be submitted through the My MEA portal by Wednesday, December 9, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Because this is a highly competitive grant judged on feasibility, location, and pricing transparency, starting early is highly recommended.

How do I apply?

SWTCH can help you navigate the complexities of this competitive grant application and ensure your filing meets the high-quality standards of a successful bid. Our team provides:

• Custom charging solutions uniquely tailored to your property.

• Assistance navigating grant program applications and project/budget workbooks.

• Hardware that meets the MEA’s strict Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) requirements.

• Advanced energy management to allow you to install more chargers on your existing electrical panel, keeping costs down.

This historic $16.5M budget is a clear signal of Maryland’s commitment to expanding EV charging infrastructure. Reach out to the SWTCH team today to secure your funding before the December deadline!